Cool News
Mr. Green Finds RENO 911!: MIAMI Arresting!!
SPOILER ALERT !!
Last week, a "trailer" for the forthcoming RENO 911!: MIAMI feature film hit YouTube.
We linked to it -- the trailer received an overwhelmingly positive response from those lucky enough to access it. Which, of course, means The Powers That Be promptly pulled it from YouTube.
For those who missed it: the material was a riff on the first trailer for Michael Mann's MIAMI VICE movie; the RENO characters trying to grasp the meaning of the word "foreboding", for example. Pretty great stuff.
The film looked like a lot of fun -- a sentiment echoed by Mr. Green, who recently attended a test screening of the project.
Here's Mr. Green, who has reviewed stuff for us in the past...
Mr. Green here with another review, following up with the now
sixteen-month-passed review of Mike Judge's Idiocracy (if it EVER gets
released).
This may or may not be of interest to you, but given your
site's aptitude for discussing cult niche films, I figured some readers
might enjoy an early review of Miami 911, the silver screen version of
Comedy Central's improv/mockumentary show Reno 911. I screened this in
late May at the Block at Orange, and were informed we were the first
audience to see the film.
The audience was divided into two theaters,
those who were fans of the show, and those who were not. I should preface
this review by stating that I, and my guest, were in the "fans of the
show" theater. I am also a fan of The State and the New York comedy crew
attached to it from its old days on MTV.
Additionally, I want to affirm
slightly the more critical view I take on most comedies, which I usually
will NOT see in the theater (I was one of the minority who intensely
disliked Anchorman, had a mild appreciation for Wedding Crashers, but did
really enjoy the 40-year old virgin.) So, with that out of the way.
This was absolutely hilarious.
First and foremost, if you are a fan of
the show, you will almost certainly enjoy the movie. I promise you much
of the institution you relish on Comedy Central about thirteen times a
year is intact, and the patently R rating gives the core writer group (Tom
Lennon, Ben Garant, and Kerry Kenney) the freedom to assault us directly
with unapologetic dialogue, overt sex and T & A, and gruesome comic death
in a way the show only hints at. There is only one thing the film fails
to nail in its transference to the big screen, and I will get to that
later.
The plot, much like on the show, is a throwaway, simply providing a loose
explanation for certain situations in which the gang finds themselves.
But, apart from a couple scenes where they hit you over the head with
exposition, it really does not matter. And the way the cast themselves
mock the insipidity of the story is fairly amusing.
All you need to know
is that after being invited to attend a nationwide law enforcement
conference, the group travels to Miami only to find they are not
registered and cannot attend. After they leave, the conference is exposed
to a bio-terror attack, which leaves the troupe as the only cops in the
entire city.
Thus, we find the sheriffs in a fish-out-of-water role,
which has its own laughs for a brief part in the middle. However, they
quickly settle into their own apathetic and incompetent brand of justice
dispensing, tapping familiar reservoirs and laughs from the show,
including a couple jokes and characters lifted directly from the series.
Non-fans may miss some inside jokes, but if you enjoy the sex comedy of
Wedding Crashers and the 40-Year Old Virgin, the inappropriate comedy of
the Zucker Brothers' films, you have something to enjoy as well.
The film
is unapologetic in its direct assault of sexual comedy, with enough tits
and ass to keep the undersexed male population happy, including one
protracted and completely unnecessary topless beach scene involving a
beached whale (though the actual interaction with the whale is quite
amusing, but I challenge you to keep your eyes on the whale :).
Cast
members also do not hide much of their sensibilities, and explore their
own sexual needs in a great if overly long scene at their hotel. This
film is targeting the 17-39 age group, and hits their target pretty
solidly, but you may not want to invite your folks. Similarly, those
14-16 year olds sneaking in or accompanied with mom ("I've seen the show,
my son likes it, and it's not that offensive" moms should be aware of
exactly what they are taking their kids to see) will enjoy the film, but
may miss some of the more intelligently written humor.
I personally feel
that the combination of intelligent dialogue and the keystone kops
stupidity of the sheriffs is what makes the show work, and it is present
here in spades.
Another thing fans and non-fans alike will appreciate are the astounding
cameos, and there are countless ones. Stay surprised on these, because
they actually help drive the film in what are otherwise not hysterically
funny interludes. Paul Rudd occupies a fairly major role and my and
Herc's man Patton Oswalt finally gets to play a major role in a film.
Other than that, most people, including regular guests on the show, come
so quickly as to be like that commercial you love (mine is the Carl's Jr.
milkshake cow shaking one), watched and enjoyed for thirty seconds and
then forgotten.
Again, with apologies to Herc, a brief summary of pros and cons:
What works: anything Trudy Wiegel (Kerry Kenney-Silver) does, Rainessha
(Niecy Nash) on the beach and looking for love, the group's non-police
wardrobe, the beached whale solution and Patton Oswalt's reaction,
Junior's dream sequence, Paul Rudd's exposition, COPS, the Alligator
(which will probably become a fan favorite), the cameos.
What doesn't work: Jones, Garcia, Clemmy, and Kimball are not given enough
to do, though their show roles are at least explored.
The biggest gripe I
had with this film is that it loses some of the magic of the show. While
some parts work well and others simply do not (or do not evoke big
laughs), the scripted nature of the film is such that the obvious
improvisation of the show and its editing style (absurd end to a dialogue,
with a quick cut to an unconnected scene) are diminished.
That
spontaneity is still present in parts, but the dialogue seems somewhat
stilted in comparison to the show. Additionally, the T & A, while very
amusing in some parts, is seemingly excessive in others, and could be
trimmed (no pun intended) without losing much comedy value.
Finally, the
plot goes nowhere fast, and the only storyline Clemmy (Wendi
McLendon-Covey) gets is both obvious and not very amusing.
However, on the whole, friends of blue comedy, well-written and conceived
sex jokes, and idiots in authority roles will relish the unique
contribution of this film. I was thrilled to see co-writer/director Garant did not let the
film devolve into the blubbering plot-driven second half shit of Wedding
Crashers or Dodgeball, where those directors feel that without a moral
lesson and happy resolution of all characters' lives the audience would
somehow be upset at the film.
Garant knows we do not need that, and he
does not provide stereotypical storyboards to satisfy "The Formula",
instead leaving the characters right where he introduced them. And that
is the genius of Reno, people who lead the extraordinary lives, encounter
countless moral lessons, and fail to learn anything, staying instead in
their insular and incompetent universe.
That's the review of a Reno fan, take it for what it's worth.
Mr. Green
-
+ Expand All
-
That damn film needs to come out already
-
This show is purely hit-and-miss. It ain't genius. Another South Park movie would be better. Or Team America, which was the funniest movie of the past five.
-
I cannot wait and WEDDING CRASHERS was one of the worst movies I have ever seen. It didn't even breach on being funny. In fact it was the opposite of funny. It was like grass clippings. Grass clippings aren't funny. They're just grass clippings.
-
I love the halloween episode where she sets out a stuffed cat decoy to capture those asian kids.
-
I just want to know when THE STATE (Complete Series) is going to be released on DVD.
-
He knows the core writing group off the top of his head, the first and last names of all these unknown actors, talks about specific age demographics... I dunno. Plus who the hell uses the word "insipidity"? Is it even a word? Somebody whip out the miracle grow.
-
And you want to cut some out? Are you gay? (j/k)
-
that i found hilarious when i saw it, but nobody else seemed to "get"
-
Would it kill you people to give a cursory expectation for release? Even if it's wrong?
-
. . . that sucks.
-
Stupidest show ever.
-
By the way I love Reno 911.
PIPPING HOT DELICOUS ARBIES. ITS SO PIPPING HOT AND DELICOUS. -
Wikipedia (which may or may not be right) notes that "Idiocracy" has a release date set for September 1, 2006. The article doesn't site a source. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idiocracy
-
Dude, it's called research, you can walk right out of the movie not knowing who any of the actors were and just look it up on imdb so you don't sound like an idiot. And using a big vocabulary doesn't make someone a plant. It just makes him pretentious.
-
Reno 911 and Southpark are pretty much the only shows worth watching on CC since the "Stand-Up Revolution" of the last 90's. I used to be a Jeff Foxworthy fan until Comedy Central drove him, and the Blue Collar Comedy Crap, into the ground. Now I can't stand the guy. Stand-Up is fun, but you can't watch Comedy Central these days without overdosing on it. But if Reno and South Park go off the air, I don't see any reason to keep watching this channel anymore. It's sad because CC used to be my favorite...back in the days of Kids in the Hall, Mystery Science Theater and Dr Katz.
-
It just means they have a command of their own fucking language (if the words are used properly). I guess I could see how it would be annoying in everyday speech, but a film review seems to me to be the most appropriate place to utilize a strong vocabulary.
-
Am I first??
-
Nikki Reed Hotness - http://media.filmforce.ign.com/media/841/841609/vids_1.html
-
I'd love to play a perp on the show...which NEVER fails to make me laugh, even in this age of cynicism and geek righteousness. Best show on TV.
-
Did I make it? Am I the Twenty-Second poster? :P
-
I can see this winning a few awards around Oscar season, at least Best Mockumentary...... What's the whole deal with the studio not wanting people to view the trailer via YouTube?
-
humorist in YEARS. his first effort at animation aired on SNL and served as inspiration for his first effort as live-action director, Office Space. A film which, much like Austin Powers, bombed at the BO and found cult status on video and cable. all of this scares the FUCK out of Fox because apparently Idiocracy doesn't have the wit of a Will Ferrel vehicle. and Little Man has no problem being released.
-
shes actually quiet a nice girl. i just interviewed her last week. she is shockingly intelligent for her age. however, mini's first time is thoroughly mediocre.
-
"I was one of the minority who intensely disliked Anchorman, had a mild appreciation for Wedding Crashers, but did really enjoy the 40-year old virgin."....
You're a douchebag???
I'm still looking forward to seeing it...you just need to learn how to suck on the business end of a shotgun... -
I've looked everywhere....obviously, the YouTube version went down a while back, but are you telling me that no one captured it? Anyone have a rapidshare link or something?
-
If this movie as good as it looks, then comedy central is on a roll with tv to film conversions. South Park was amazing (sequel please?) and the new Strangers With Candy movie was great, even with the recycled jokes from the show(which are still funnier than any other mainstream comedy movie).
-
But German TV canceled it after the first half of Season 1. Hm. I should look at a torrent or something.
-
In fact anyone who enjoys comedy like Reno 911 should check out the new Comedy Cental show "Man Bites Dog". It does for news teams what 911 does for law enforcement. As to the 911 movie - I didn't even know it was in production. Is there any word as to when it will be released? I discovered the show late, but really enjoy it. It's not always laugh out loud funny, but every episode has at least 2 or 3 really good bits, which is 2 or 3 more than 80% of what passes for comedy on TV normally has.
-
Where Dangle and Junior are scratching lotto tickets and singing Carribean Queen when they get the apb on Junior's accidental chinese mailorder bride, and they chase her down,he took off with his motorhome, and she's tossing his porn and jeans out the window. Junior runs up and enters through the sunroof while the thing is moving, and a few seconds later he is tossed out the window and down a embankment. The other was when the squirrel was in the old ladies attic and they all had there guns drawn just staring up at the ceiling. Everytime the critter scurried aroud they'd follow it, as if it was somehow gonna bust through. This went on over several segments and the whole time the old lady was just staring at them like, What the fuck are y'all doin?
Readers Talkback
User Login
Top Talkbacks
- Whitney Houston 1963 - 2012 -- 273 total posts 271 posts
- New JUDGE DREDD post production footage pops up -- 92 total posts 92 posts
- AVENGERS enemy revealed as pink boardgame pieces... You might suffer some form of elation... SPOILERS!!! -- 160 total posts 69 posts
- There's a STAR TREK video game that is going to lead into JJ's STAR TREK 2 apparently... -- 151 total posts 63 posts
- Does ‘SNL’ Rhyme With ‘Deschanel’?? Learn Which SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE Vet Hosts After Sexy Zooey!! -- 67 total posts 59 posts
- HANNA's Saoirse Ronan to boss around seven little people -- 60 total posts 57 posts
- To Commemorate The 3D Release Of STAR WARS EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE, George Lucas Wants You To Know...Greedo Shoots First!! -- 484 total posts 49 posts
- Here's The Red Band Trailer For Drafthouse Films' THE FP! -- 69 total posts 42 posts
- Friday Brings SWEEPS DAY NINE!! Gab Here About Tonight’s FRINGE!! Plus Einstein on TIM, Wiig On PORTLANDIA, MAHER, CLONE, GIFTED, GRIMM, SPARTACUS, SUPERNATURAL, GOLD RUSH And More!! -- 120 total posts 32 posts
- SPACE 2099!! -- 183 total posts 24 posts